There are benefits and disadvantages with most kinds of savings accounts
Getty ImagesAlthough inflation in the US pulled back slightly last month to 8.3% after seven months of incessant gains, it remains uncomfortably high not just in the US, but in the UK and other countries, with one COO calling the situation a "perfect storm."
The eye of the storm surfaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, we are seeing the ripple effect this economic disease has had on the financial world.
Here are the top 5 accounts reviewed and compared.
Read nowThe stock market is in disarray, the Great Resignation (and so-called Great Reshuffle) is underway, and closer to home, we feel the sting of rising food and energy prices, with a general surge in the cost of living.
Inflation is a reduction in purchasing power over a period of time, caused by factors including the rising prices of goods or services. This can also be caused when there is a notable increase in the money supply.
For example, if you used to pay$100 a month for electricity and now you must pay$200 a month every 12 months, this increase in the price of the service may reduce your purchasing power elsewhere -- think going out to eat, buying a new car or booking vacations -- and this, in turn, impacts demand for other goods and services, potentially hampering economic growth.
While the price of everyday goods, like milk and gas, can be individually inflated, inflation looks at the broader picture and a general rise in prices across the board. Inflation remains in the stratosphere: In March, the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 8.5%, a rate not seen since 1981, and economists have warned that inflation could pass 10% in the UK.
Earlier today, however, the US Department of Labor announced the CPI retreated to 8.3%, ending a 40-year high. Although today's announcement is a welcome news, 8.3% is still a hefty weight on households and there's still no end in sight. In fact core prices -- excluding food and energy categories -- rose 0.6% from March to April.
As everyday expenses increase, consumers may also feel the squeeze on their savings -- and their rate of return.
The general rule is that if inflation is higher than the interest rate of your savings account, in real-world "purchasing power" terms, you are losing money as the intrinsic value of each currency "unit" is going down, not up.
But if you're trying to tighten your belt in the face of high living costs and want to make sure you have some money stashed away to weather the storm, the question to ask yourself is: Should I open a savings account?
There are benefits and disadvantages with most kinds of savings accounts. Despite the US Federal Reserve recently raising interest rates by 50 basis points (or half a percentage point) rates are pretty poor across the sector (at least, for now). However, savings accounts are still worth considering as a safety net. Here's how to get started.
The first question to consider is what you want the savings account for. Do you want an account separate from your standard checking account to save a few dollars as and when you can, or for an emergency fund? Or, do you want something long-term?
There are many different types of savings accounts on the market, including:
When you're making your choice, keep in mind that regular savings accounts can provide you quick access to your funds in the case of an emergency, whereas some types of accounts -- such as retirement or cash-to-investment products -- can lock in funds for years.
"It's worth noting that most regular savings accounts are linked to current accounts, meaning you can only open one if you already have or open a bank account with that bank or building society," commented Connor Campbell, personal finance expert at NerdWallet. "Therefore, it may be worth seeing which current accounts are on offer, too. Some regular savings accounts, however, are open to all and you can usually apply online. By checking both current accounts and the linked savings accounts, you might end up with a more holistic improvement to your personal banking than just by opening a savings account alone."
At a high of 1.25%, high-yield savings accounts can't beat rising inflation, but they can buffer the impact. When you're looking for a new savings account, whether to open or to switch, you'll want to find the highest interest rate possible.
The average savings account in the US is currently reported at 0.06% APY -- and when you compare this to the surge in inflation, it's poor.
However, some banks are offering online-only savings accounts with APY rates beyond the national average. The best rate we've found so far offers 0.61% APY.
Now the federal reserve has increased its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point to try and combat inflation, we may begin to see more competitiveness in the market -- especially as some financial organizations are offering far beyond the average rate.
Banks or other financial service providers may impose fees to open a new account, switch, or close a savings account. Savings account providers may impose fees when processing transactions (a common practice when making international payments), when ATM withdrawals are made, or through maintenance fees/service charges.
There may also be withdrawal limit fees if a consumer makes too many withdrawals or transfers during a specific time period.
However, many financial organizations will waive monthly maintenance fees if there are regular deposits or the savings account always maintains a specific balance.
Here are some examples:
When choosing your savings account, you should also know of potential requirements or restrictions. These may include:
Read on: What is my credit score? Why it exists and why you need to build it
Perks may include overdraft protection if a savings account is linked to a checking account, cashback offers, higher interest rates when a set balance is maintained, or "clubs" that give you discounts on partner items and services. For example, Club Lloyds offers free magazine subscriptions, movie rentals, and cinema tickets.
Most US banks will offer premium savings accounts with higher monthly fees in return for perks. For example, the Wells Fargo Platinum Savings account offers unlimited withdrawals and a higher interest rate.
You should check if your bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the United States. The deposit limit covered by the agency is usually $250,000 and includes checking accounts, typical savings accounts, MMAs and CD savings accounts. Although, the rules are different depending on the asset category, such as for trusts.
The FDIC does not generally cover investment products.
In the UK, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) covers bank accounts holding up to